If there's a doubleheader to be played at Nationals Park, that must mean John Lannan is going to be on the mound. Sure enough, the left-hander has been recalled from Class AAA Syracuse to start the first game of tonight's twi-night twinbill, the extra 26th man on the roster for the day.

Lannan pitched a gem against the Braves two weeks ago to get the teetering Nationals back on track. He went back to Syracuse and made one start earlier this week, getting roughed up for six runs and 13 hits in 3 1/3 innings. Given the manner in which he went from pitching the most significant game of his career to pitching one of the least significant games of his life, nobody with the Nationals sounds the least bit concerned. Provided, of course, he pitches well today.

The Marlins, who have been completely blown up by GM Larry Beinfest in the last couple of weeks, have their own Class AAA call-up lefty starting this game: Brad Hand. They also have a lineup that boasts old pal Austin Kearns in the 5-hole.

A reminder for those of you planning to attend: One ticket gets you into both games. The nightcap will begin at 7:05 p.m., or 25 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1 (whichever is later).

The nightcap will begin at 7:05 p.m., or 25 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1 (whichever is later).————Darn, I wish it was "whichever is earlier". Now that could make for some exciting baseball!GYFNG! x 2

The entire Marlins lineup except the pitcher will be batting right-handed so Lannan better keep everything low — except maybe to Bonafacio. What I worry about is the Nats dismal track record against these Rookie League teams.

NL, Red Carpet Rewards has it's problems, but the interface is much improved over previous years. I would get on the phone with my STH rep right away. He or she might be able to leave a tkt at will call for you. Usually they need several days advance notice for RCR (technically they say seven days, but that deadline seems malleable), so you may be out of luck for today.

Lannan is lucky that the two most imposing and Nats-killing RH hitters from early in the season (Hanley and Giancarlo) are not in this lineup. When you have Austin Kearns batting fifth, you know your season is in the toilet. Time for a Friday fish fry.

Looking forward to good old fashioned doubleheader at the ballpark on a classic summer day ib DC. We really could use a series sweep this weekend to try to put some distance between us and the Braves.Go Nats!

One of these days, the players that are left in the fish tank are going to get really, really annoyed and want to win a game. Atlanta got them at their most demoralized. I hope it takes them a little while to get things together before they start fighting back. We have never had an easy time with them. My son knows Brad Hand from when Brad was at AA, he has a lot of ability but has been jerked around by the organization a lot. There are a lot of parallels with Lannan – Hand was pretty much guaranteed a rotation spot this year and then they signed Buerhle and that didn't happen. He has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. He pitched here against us last summer. Go Nats!

Section 222 said, "When you have Austin Kearns batting fifth, you know your season is in the toilet."I remember when we batted this slug cleanup. I cannot believe he's still in the bigs.Still, he's the cause of one of Sunshine Bobby's most inane (after "major jammage") phrases: "Good take by Austin!!"What a stiff. Thanks, JimBo.

He did always seems to be a good teammate and clubhouse guy, though. I remember going to the Great American Smallpark to a game right after the Kearns/Lopez trade. The fans there were really upset because they thought we robbed them blind. Interesting now.

And Flores will be demoted to backup catcher after all he has done with our pitchers this year? Talk about messing with team chemistry. This guy has been in the al – he knows nothing about our pitchers or the nl hitters. That just seems odd.

Once again – does Suzuki know one thing about our pitchers or the nl hitters? Seems like they should at least split or it should happen over time. How will this go over with our young pitching staff – they are all very tight and trust flores? I realize that gio probably knows Suzuki and can be the mediator, but , still – right now that could really make a mess. By the way – Morse caught Bryce's stomach virus.

Suziki's offensive numbers are not too special this year. Throws out 29% of runners stealing for his career and 38% this season though. I like those numbers. Let's see if the Nats pitchers lower that number.

SwamiYour definately looking way too into it.. Flores play has definately proven that we needed another option for the rest of this year.. I'm sure Kurt will learn quickly. Also, theyu will probably split time or so until one or the other proves they deserve to start. Flores has provided a good solid foundation for our young pitchin, but that does not give him a free pass for his horrible caught stealing %, although that is on the pitchers as well, and the fact that for 2 months he has been a black hole at the plate.- Wadlez

Jesus a non-tender candidate now? 2013 is his final year of arbitration eligibility. Leon and Solano show potential, Suzuki has 2 more years on his deal at $4M per, and Ramos is working his way back.It seems that Jesus might be expendable.That didn't sound right.

Baseballswami, I think the pitchers will adjust and be ok with whoever is behind the plate. It's Rizzo and Davey's job to put the best talent on the field. I think they have done a great job of that, if you can ignore the fact that Derosa is starting again today.

Every time there is a big roster shake up around here the team shows it on the field. Hope not. He won't be here until tomorrow. Flores has been an absolute trooper. I do realize that he hasn't played a full season – it's not that he is the most fantastic catcher in the history of baseball. It's just one of those things where he has given his heart and soul to our staff and closeness of the pitcher/catcher relationship. And this will make six catchers this year. Will he be a one year rental? Ramos due back next season.

Since Freitas was a very well regarded "prospect," I can't wait to hear what peric thinks of this move. Someone please tell me at some point because I still don't read his posts. But apparently Koyie Hill wasn't quite the answer.

So much for playing for 2013. Ramos will be back next year, so this move was completely about winning the pennant this year. Rizzo quietly goes out and fills what is clearly a weakness in our lineup. No muss, no fuss, prospects for the post season this year immediately improved. I like it!

For those saying Suzuki doesn't know our pitchers missed the fact that Gio worked with him for a couple years. I would imagine that has to play a part in the pick up. Flores has a very week throwing arm. I know the Nats pitchers don't help him out any but they need a guy who can help control the running game a bit better. As much as I love Flo I just think he is a part time catcher. Hopefully the Nats split them equal time and the extra bit of rest helps both guys.

Hard to imagine that a guy that has been in consideration for the Gold Glove will have issues with our staff. He caught Gio for a few years and I bet they asked Gio about him as well. He is not having a good offensive year but the backs of his baseball cards tell me he led the A's in rbi in 09 – he also seems very durable playing in 148, 147 and 131 games from 08 – 10. Have to think he starts when he arrives.We complain for not making moves and then complain more when moves are made. Its a great world in the land of blogs.Go Nats!!

Davey had Suzuki on the US Team 4 years ago. That's good, so he knows Davey and Gio.I think this is a good move. There was much griping about not making a move on 7/31, well a couple of days later we got one of the holes filled.I like our baby nats catchers (so does billy beane) and JFlo, but JFlo has just been beaten to the ground. I hope they split the duties now. I am sure Kurt will catch Gio.Leaving for the park soon, for the end of game 1 and all of game 2

Davey says he asked Gio about him, and skippered him four years ago in a series against Cuba. But it doesn't seem right to demote Jesus. He has held the center for us for so long, and I love Leon. I trust Davey. I trust Davey. I trust Davey. I have to remember I trust Davey.Meanwhile, GYFNG!

Whatever we owe Flores, it doesn't have to be the starting lineup for the rest of the year. Has Flores said anything, or are we all speculating on empty? Maybe The Bruise That Walks Like A Man wouldn't mind a few days a week off, and an improved chance at the post-season. Maybe he loves this move. He certainly has a good future in the majors, regardless.

"What's with this line-up?" "DeRosa stinks"…It's good thing it's impossible to get fired as a NI poster, b/c a bunch of you would be Gone…Thank goodness Rizzo and Davey are in charge and not the Legion of Doom peanut gallery on here! Lol

I don't want to be negative, but where are the folks at the ballpark? I know it's hot, I know it's an odd time, I know people work (well, some people work!), but this "crowd" looks like the gathering that the Nats-Marlins used to draw at Joe Robbie/SunLife/Big Orange Bowl in the Burbs Ballpark.It's called a pennant race, people.I'd go, but I have to work tonight. Honest. I do work. Sometimes. Well, a little bit. OK, it's a part-time gig.

Sunshine….wait till the 5th inning before judging the crowd. Even on a 7:05 start, the crowd doesn't settle in till the 4th.And I guess Lannan didn't learn about walks in the first inning. It was the run that scored.

Man it really gets quiet around here when the good guys are up 7-1…Guess the Legion of Doom is somewhere complaining about the Olympic TV coverage, or more likely, the Redskins….Is it true they have a new QB? I've heard so little about them via the local media…

Natsjack Nothing against u, u look like a pretty cool guy, but it is amazing how much u like To talk trash about peric, even when u dont say his name!And…. I am The only thinking complete game for lannan?

Hey whats up, all?Suzuki is a good pickup — agreed.What is not so cool is declaring him the #1 catcher from the jump. That's a uncalled for slight on Jflo — and I think classless on the part of Rizzo.Otherwise, we are looking good so far.Last note: What is more likely to happen. RZim;s bat wins the world series or will his arm (or lack of one) cost us a World Series?

More on Flo: He had all the chances in the world to hit: he didn't. Too bad. But his handling of this staff was and still is excellent!To obtain a catcher who isn't any offense threat but is lauded for his ability to handle a staff … I say I don't get it. But that isn't the big quandary. The confusing thing is that he was declared the Starting catcher. I very much understand coming in to spell JFlo, or even to split the catching — fair enough. But to relegate JFlo to the bench because Suzuki is better defensively? Nope, not buying it.

Very true Wonk… and I saw him in Spring Training 2011 when he was getting bombed, he came back and had a great year…But I've never seen him look so unsure of himself as today…Usually he's a "here it is, hit it" kind of guy, especially w/a 4 run lead

NatsJack in Florida said…Koyie Hill got released you say? I'm shocked.August 03, 2012 7:12 PM_____________________________LOL! It appears the Nats brass did NOT think he was "Pudge-Like" on defense as has been suggested a few dozen times on here…

There is a story about former Boston Braves Manager George Stallings included in Ken Burns Baseball miniseries. While on his deathbed, a visitor asked Stallings, “George, what’s killing you?” Stallings answered—“Bases on balls…”